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Topic: 70% + ErgoDox = I may have gone mad (Read 10454 times)

What?Essentially all the keys of the ErgoDox, in a 70% (ish - 76 keys to be exact) form factor. This keeps the same symmetrically staggered layout, but moves the thumb cluster up into the center and uses a single board/case/pcb/whatever.

Why?I love the form factor of the ErgoDox. My fingers have never been happier, nor more relaxed. However, the ErgoDox isn't necessarily the most travel-friendly board. It's multiple pieces and extra cable make it a bit awkward to just toss in a laptop bag. This board would keep most of the benefits of the ErgoDox, giving up only the thumb clusters and dual-piece construction. It has exactly the same amount of switches as the standard ErgoDox.

How?Probably by modifying the official ErgoDox PCB and case files. Unless of course there's somebody who'd want to help out in redesigning the PCB for this to be as compact as possible (since currently I have precisely zero PCB design experience). At some point I'll order a couple prototype PCB's and case, throw some switches in there and see what happens.

You're nuts. This will never workYou shut your mouth. Even if it doesn't, it'll be a fun learning experience.

This is currently just an idea tumbling around in my head, but I really want to try and get a prototype together.

For me and maybe you as well this would not be an ErgoDox replacement, but an ErgoTrav. An Ergodox morph for those who need to carry their keyboard to work and elsewhere, are too used to the epic comfort of the Ergodox (Even ErgoGP soon) that they NEED something similar for their laptop.

Brilliant idea, I'm not to quite sure of the comfort right now, I could help you out with the case designing. Let me know.

And it is not shamelessly hacking sir, when I mentioned anyone is free to use it

Somebody once accused me of defeating the purpose of the ErgoDox design by joining the halves in a tray. You're really asking for it with this alteration.

Actually , I see the benefit in this design for travel use. Portability plus the ability of using a layout similar to one used at home or office. Would it be that much bulkier to simply join the halves in a wood enclosure similar to mine or attach them somehow? That way you keep everything in a single unit without losing the ergo benefit of the thumb clusters.

You have me curious about what you see as the key features of the ErgoDox. I find the reduced pronation and ulnar deviation from tenting and skewing the halves to be its primary ergonomic feature.

You have me curious about what you see as the key features of the ErgoDox. I find the reduced pronation and ulnar deviation from tenting and skewing the halves to be its primary ergonomic feature.

that was actually my first thought when I saw the proposed design - the reduction in ulnar deviation does wonders for me ergonomically. I would think that joining the two halves together is an idea that can go either way, but tilting it inwards is something I wouldn't do without. Of course, that would make it something like an extended catboard.

If you are not making it so that it splits, or is skewed, then I think that the wrist angles are worse than QWERTY.For an ergo compact keyboard, I think that symmetric stagger would be better.

Logged

"Normal is the greatest enemy in regard to creating the new. To get around this you have to understand normal not as reality but as just a construct." -- Alan KayDaily driver: Phantom (Lubed Cherry MX Clear, Lasered Cherry PBT keycaps with Row A. Plastic "Frankencase". Custom firmware, Swedish layout)

I may have to work with you on this if you're interested, my existing PCB design could be added to (a new PCB for the center keys) with minimal effort, and I've been looking at different ways of building a more travel friendly version.

I may have to work with you on this if you're interested, my existing PCB design could be added to (a new PCB for the center keys) with minimal effort, and I've been looking at different ways of building a more travel friendly version.

And you can are the best candidate for designing the split design with swivel and ability to extend them apart. I vote for AcidFire.

Still going to move ahead with the one piece. A split design doesn't really appeal to me (I already have one ErgoDox with another on the way). AcidFire is more than welcome to work on a split/swivel design, but something tells me he might have his hands full with the ErgoGP

Still going to move ahead with the one piece. A split design doesn't really appeal to me (I already have one ErgoDox with another on the way). AcidFire is more than welcome to work on a split/swivel design, but something tells me he might have his hands full with the ErgoGP

Still going to move ahead with the one piece. A split design doesn't really appeal to me (I already have one ErgoDox with another on the way). AcidFire is more than welcome to work on a split/swivel design, but something tells me he might have his hands full with the ErgoGP

Do you want help with the plate?

I can also help with the plate.

I have a small amount of experience in PCB design, but I've never made a keyboard before.

Still going to move ahead with the one piece. A split design doesn't really appeal to me (I already have one ErgoDox with another on the way). AcidFire is more than welcome to work on a split/swivel design, but something tells me he might have his hands full with the ErgoGP

Do you want help with the plate?

I can also help with the plate.

I have a small amount of experience in PCB design, but I've never made a keyboard before.

You'd be a better candidate then, I have close to zero experience with plate design.

Still going to move ahead with the one piece. A split design doesn't really appeal to me (I already have one ErgoDox with another on the way). AcidFire is more than welcome to work on a split/swivel design, but something tells me he might have his hands full with the ErgoGP

Do you want help with the plate?

I can also help with the plate.

I have a small amount of experience in PCB design, but I've never made a keyboard before.

You'd be a better candidate then, I have close to zero experience with plate design.